The music industry seems loathe to change. At least they seem loathe to change until they’re forced to. Kudos to the management of Gnarls Barkley and The Raconteurs for releasing their CDs much earlier than normal. Gnarls Barkley released their most recent CD in advance of an April release date last week. The Raconteurs did even better – they finished their CD earlier this month and released it today.
There is no reason for the long turns between recording and releasing a CD. The long 
lead times lead to bootlegging and lower sales. Record and release. Don’t even create CDs – or don’t wait for them to be ready.
As for the CDs: I can only comment on the Gnarls Barkley CD and it’s better than the last one. No break out hit like Crazy, but it’s more complete, complex and a better listen from beginning to end.
The Raconteurs ought to be good – Brendan Benson and Jack White makes for good music. I’ll owe you a review when I listen to it.
After two listens to the Raconteurs, it’s as if they went back into the past and listening to nothing by 70’s AM rock hits for a couple of months before recording. Just like the Gnarls Barkley, there is no stand out song like “Steady, As She Goes”; however I’m not sure I like it either. I’ll have to give it a few more listens.
Oh I disagree. The Raconteurs album is soooo awesome. Jack White is a God.
I agree with Scarlett – I love it. Love the horns – love the 70’s AM radio sound. Very cool.
Hi Spencer / ARD,
On behalf of XL Recordings and Warner Bros Records, many thanks for great review of “Consolers Of The Lonely†… .. thanks also, on behalf of the labels and The Raconteurs, for not posting any pirate links although, if your readers would like a good quality, non-pirated, preview clip, a widget of the promo video for “Salute Your Solution†is available for fans and bloggers to embed at http://www.theraconteurs.com/widget.html
Regards,
WEB SHERIFF